Korean Job Discussion Forums

Papa Smurf · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul

Where can i get an std test in Seoul? I heard you can get them free at Guro office, but English speaking doctors are a must.

Papa Smurf · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul

anyone?

jeng · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Location: Seoul

I read about a place called the International clinic( or something similar) in Itaewon. Google it and maybe you will have some luck.

nomad-ish · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:49 am Post subject:

Papa Smurf · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

Your boss will likely find out about your exam if you use insurance. One time I got injured and used my insurance at the hospital. Months later the insurance company called my school needing to know how I got injured (as if they'd charge me if my reason weren't good enough).

Not even Koreans have privacy. I was just reading another thread, and it said this (regarding the stigma of using psychiatric medication in Korea):

Stevil · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Location: Bundang, South Korea

Just went to that clinic. With my health insurance it cost me about 80 000won for a test. Never considered that my boss would hear about it, but not too concerned either. It would be far more foolish not to get checked.

different · Joined: 22 May 2003

I didn't say he shouldn't get tested. He could get tested without using his insurance, it would just cost more.

I'd hope his boss wouldn't care, but you never know.

Join Me · Joined: 14 Jan 2008

Chances for anonymity are best at the International Clinic in Itaewon I think but I would ask the doctor about reporting requirements before taking any tests or giving them any personal info. There are also some organizations in Seoul that offer anonymous testing that is targeted at gay men but I am sure they would assist anyone looking to get tested anonymously. If you can read Korean (or have a Korean friend that can help you ) check out this site, or contact this organization directly for assistance.

http://www.ishap.org

Another option (slightly more complicated and expensive but very private) is to have someone send you over a self testing kit from a country like the US that carries them. You draw your own blood sample (little pin *beep* thing) and stick it in a self addressed envelope. Put that in a Fed Ex envelope and ship it to a friend in the US. When your friend receives the Fed Ex envelope they take out your sealed pre addressed envelope and put it in the mail to the testing clinic. If you do it this way you have to be quick though or date the paper work to allow a couple extra days. The clinics claim not to test samples that are more than seven days old or something like that. After they get the sample tested you just call up and get the results anonymously over the phone while you are still in Korea.